10 things you didn’t know about Tom Jones

To pepper you up before his performance tonight at the Dubai Jazz Festival

Mungo Glaysher

February 22, 2017

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22February2017

Mungo Glaysher

Tom Jones is nothing short of a legend. The seemingly age-less crooner has tried his hand at pop, rock, dance, country and jazz. Born in 1940, the Welshman is still going strong and doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.

Ahead of his performance this evening at the Dubai Jazz Festival where, unfortunately due to local laws, no panties will be thrown, we’ve put together 10 things you (probably) did know about him.

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1. When Burt Bacharach played Jones’s, What’s new pussycat for the first time, he thought it was a joke and mentioned the song is his least favourite of all most well known songs, saying that "it’s just not me".

2. Having women's knickers thrown at him is something Jones is known for, however the first time it happened in New York in 1967, the singer grew to dislike it, saying he felt it deflected attention from his voice.

3. His breakthrough hit It’s not unusual was originally written for Sandie Shaw, however her management turned it down and Jones begged for a chance to record the track.

4. When It’s not unusual was released, the press released described Jones as a single, 22-years-old miner. He was actually 24 and married with a son.

5. At christmas time, Jones’s would tells his mates that he was "too sick" to go carol singing, instead he would go out by himself and perform alone, claiming that he "made more money singing by myself".

6. Jones' famous singing hand gestures on stage are actually visual codes for his band.

7. On turning 12, Jones started to complain about having no energy and being chronically tired. After an X-ray Jones was diagnosed with tuberculosis and had no option but to listen to music, draw and stay in bed for nearly two years.

8. Delilah, was not initially meant for Jones to sing. Song writers Barry Mason and Les Reed originally wrote the song for PJ Proby, who hated it. It was then given to Jones to record.

9. Jones was offered the lead role in The Stud, alongside Joan Collins. He turned it down because he didn't want his mother hearing all the F-bombs in the script.

10. Every time Jones would meet up with his life-long best friend, Dai Perry, he would give him an envelope with £500 cash in it.

---The Dubai Jazz Festival runs from February 22 to 24. More information and tickets can be found here